This paper was presented at the
National Seminar on
Indian Psychology: Theories and Models
SVYASA, Bangalore,
December 26 - 28, 2007
 

Psychology in need of paradigm change

Shanti Auluck — Lady Sri Ram College, Delhi

Psychology aims at understanding the order of the inner world including thoughts, emotions, drives, beliefs etc. The right knowledge of it has the power to bring desirable changes that can make us the master of our inner world rather than being its slave which is a fact of everyday life. The question remains -- has mainstream Psychology been able to deliver its promises? Has it taken a comprehensive view of mind, self and consciousness? Has it given us a vision of wise living, a life of harmony within and without?

These questions would be examined in the light of Vedanta and Yoga. The paper would examine the need for the necessity to bring a change in the paradigm within which mainstream Psychology operates. That alone would enable it to reach its ultimate objectives i.e. prediction and control or in other words mastery of oneself.

Email the author, Prof. Shanti Auluck, at auluck@vsnl.com